Ordeals, the first name given to the various education exams, were eliminated because they referred to materials no longer in use. The have now been replaced with the current exam system the “Standards.” We no longer call them ‘ordeals” only because they are not nearly difficult enough to justify such an arduous name.

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The Standards are a tool to educate members for the betterment of the club. The very act of taking the test at least ensures that you have at least opened the Membership Handbook, and can find those other sources. We figure that life is an open book test – the Standards are essentially to make sure you can find the book. Any member may study to take the various Standards and raise their level of awareness within the club. Understanding, or even just knowing where to find the answers to questions that arise makes for stronger, more confident members who can then enjoy themselves more as well as help other members. We definitely recommend that everyone consider taking all of the Standards available, whether or not you plan to act as an officer.

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There is no longer a charge for exams.

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Yes, though there is a waiting period. After failing to pass a Standard the first time, you must wait two weeks before taking it again. After failing to pass the second and subsequent times, you must wait three months.

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While most Standards are graded within a few days, there are many situations that may cause it to take longer to grade. A grading time of up to two weeks is considered normal, especially during the first month after a Standard is released or during convention weekends while the graders may be away from home.

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All officers are required to pass the ten short Membership Standards (a prerequisite for all the other exams)

• Coordinators are also required to pass the Coordinator Standard and the Coordinator Processes Standard.
• Storytellers are also required to pass the Storyteller Standard.

This is in affect for the Membership Standards that have been released. It will go into affect for the Coordinator and ST standards once those are released.

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Each officer needs to pass their required Standards within 90 days of taking office. This applies to the Test of Membership, the Coordinator Standard and the Coordinator Processes Standard and the Storyteller Standard. This will go into affect as soon as these Standards are all released.

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If an officer has not passed the required Standards within 90 days of taking office, they will be removed from office by the appropriate supervising officer(s). Typically, they will also be barred from holding office until they pass the required Standard(s). Once the position is vacant, elections should be held as soon as possible. If the former officer passes the required Standards while applications are still being accepted, they are free to apply as a candidate in the new election.

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Passing the Test of Membership itself, as a prerequisite for all other exams, is part of the requirement to hold office in MES. Failure to pass this exam within 90 days of taking office should result in removal from office. As a result, failing to pass the Membership Standard is not a reason to extend the deadline for passing the other Standards.

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The Membership Standards are designed to aid any member in being aware of the basic policies and procedures followed by the MES Club as a whole. As an educational tool they help the average member to grasp the concepts of structure, rules, and benefits of being a member. Common concepts like the Code of Conduct, conflict resolution and the officer structure are asked about in their specific Standards. As with all Standards, members are encouraged to look up the answers, even if they already know them, just to double check.

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The Coordinator Standard is an educational tool designed to help members become familiar with the various coordinator duties within the club. While it is a requirement for coordinators to pass this Standard, other members are encouraged to be familiar with this material as well. The test is designed to familiarize the member with many of the situations a coordinator must be familiar with, as well as make the member aware of the rules and policies the coordinator needs to know in the running of his job day to day. In addition to the Handbook, you will need a working knowledge of how to use this FAQ system to pass this exam. As with all Standards, members are encouraged to look up the answers, even if they already know them, just to double check.

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The Storyteller Standard is an educational tool designed to help members become familiar with the various storyteller duties within the club. Note that this is not a test on in-game rules – it focuses primarily on how a storyteller works within MES. While it is a requirement for storytellers to pass this Standard, other members are encouraged to be familiar with this material as well. The test is designed to familiarize the member with many of the situations a storyteller must be familiar with, as well as make the member aware of the rules and policies the storyteller needs to know in the running of his job day to day. In addition to the Handbook and MES rules supplement, you will need a working knowledge of how to use this FAQ system to pass this exam. As with all Standards, members are encouraged to look up the answers, even if they already know them, just to double check.

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Members of MES are able to receive Prestige for the MES Standards. Please check with your national Coordinator if you are a member of a sister club regarding your club’s prestige options.

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• The 10 Membership Standards (Chapters 1-8, Website and Contact) are worth 10 general prestige each.
• The Coordinator Standard will be worth 60 general prestige.
• The Coordinator Process Standard will be worth 40 general prestige.
• The ST Standard will be worth 60 general prestige.
• The ST Process Standard will be worth 40 general prestige.
• The Prestige Standard will be worth 50 general prestige.
• The Venue Standards will be worth 50 general prestige each.

You may receive full prestige for the Membership Standards, Coordinator Standards, ST Standards and the Prestige Standards, even if you have taken an MES exam that is similar in the past.